A sample of last season's indoor track action in Chicago shows the intensity
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CYUP CABIN FEVER INVITE REGISTRATION I CYUP MISFITS INVITE REGISTRATION
There is no doubt that the demand for quality track and field meets is going to skyrocket for the 2022 season after a solid last year that produced favorable results during the peak of Covid-19. Assuming restrictions are "relaxed" for various indoor dens, look for business as well as competition to pick up significantly in the first quarter of the running season.
Traditionally, the east coast has kicked off the undercover season, producing captivating action as early as Thanksgiving weekend. The Midwest on the other hand usually gets underway just after the New Year with youth age group competition.
The cities of Chicago IL and Louisville KY opened the 2021 calendar of select meets that was met with success.
The Windy City hosted among its slate was the CYUP Cabin Fever Invitational last March in the new Gately Track & Field Center located in the far south side of the Chicago neighborhood of Pullman. Despite Covid-19 placing tight attendance restrictions on Gately, many participants were able to canvass the 3500 seat den. This bubbly facility is equipped with a banked Mondo 200-meter track that proved to be lightning fast. Several leading national marks, including state all-time bests were accomplished.
2022 promises to be another banner year. Of the key invitationals slated to perform at Gately, the popular CYUP Misfits Invitational registration is now open!
Louisville has a tremendous facility as well called the Norton Sports Health Athletics & Learning Complex on the west side of the city in the Russell neighborhood. The Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center has a 24-acre, multi-sport complex that opened in February 2021. The campus hosts local, regional, and national indoor and outdoor track meets, other sporting events, concerts, and a variety of other events. Featuring 90,000 square feet of floor space with a 4,100 seat, 200-meter banked Mondo indoor track, and the 400-meter Humana Outdoor Track & Field Stadium, the venue attracts athletes and guests from across the nation. Additionally, the complex includes a four-lane mini-bowling alley, an interactive rock-climbing wall, and a multi-purpose space that is used for educational programming.
Track and field have always been competitive in Kentucky and its surrounding areas. Now the stakes will be broadened out to the surrounding area which includes Ohio, Indiana, Georgia, Tennesee, and Alabama. The Norton Sports facility features a banked 200m mondo track with seating good for over 4000m fans. There is also an indoor play place for the kids as well as indoor and outdoor warm-up areas. All in all, it is a win-win situation for the track and field community!
